5 Ideas to Make Your Chew Bar Pop

If you’re running an indie pet store, you already know that dog food isn’t very profitable. Margins are low, and those big bags take up A LOT of space.

Dog treats and chews are a great way to encourage impulse buying, increase your average order value, and increase your profits. The natural dog chew category is one of the fastest growing categories in the pet industry and it has never been easier to create a Chew Bar that will bring customers back into your stores over and over again.

Idea # 1: Variety 

• Diverse Selection: Offer a wide range of treats and chews, including different protein sources (including some novel options, like gator, ostrich, and yak), textures, and sizes to cater to various dog preferences and dietary needs.
• New Products: Have a selection of “NEW” chews that you regularly rotate and train all of your employees to show customers new treats and ask them if they’ve tried them yet.
• Range of Price Points: Not everyone has the extra disposable income to impulsively buy a $10 bully stick. Provide some lower price point options that retail for $0.99 - $1.99 per piece. Make sure that all bulk products are labeled with a price, as many people are shy and don’t want to ask an employee how much something costs.
  
  
  
  Pets Discount in Omaha, NE, has a HUGE selection of treats and chews, and it’s easy to tell that with a glance thanks to the color coded packaging.
  
  

Idea # 2: Presentation

• Aesthetic Arrangement: People are really into “aesthetics” these days. Think about your store and the vibe you’re trying to convey. Is your store sleek and modern? Is it cute and comfy? Is it rustic and old-fashioned? Organize the treats in an appealing way that suits your store’s brand, and use containers of different heights and colors. Consider using wooden crates, glass jars, wicker baskets, or aluminum buckets to create an eye-catching display.
  

Coastal Paws in Wilmington, NC, is using a repurposed chicken coop for their chew bar

Noah’s Natural Pet Market in San Diego, CA is using a repurposed cabinet that has been repainted with their brand colors! Their entire store is accented with this welcoming shade of blue, which helps solidify their brand identity.

Idea # 3: Interactive Elements

• Tasting Station: Set up a section where dogs can sample new treats. Ensure this area is kept clean and replenished regularly. Encourage your customers to take videos and photos of their dog in this section and post it to social media and tag your business.
• Make it Dog Friendly: Display some chews right at “nose level”. Invite your customers to bring in their dog on their next visit and encourage them to have their dog pick out their own treat.
• Selfie Station: People love showing their dogs off on social media. Have a section of your Chew Bar where many different treats are visible and place a branded sign that has your store’s logo, social media handles and relevant hashtags visible. You could offer a small discount for customers who tag your business on their social media page.
  
  
  
  Jett and Monkey, in Des Moines, IA, with a couple of our wooden display racks which are available to all of our retailers for a small shipping fee.
  
  
  
  Pet N Mind in Monrovia, CA, has an empty spot right in front of their treat section - perfect place to snap a photo of a customer dog enjoying their chew right in the middle of their store and share it to their social media pages.

Idea # 4: Location, Location, Location

• Strategic Placement: Most of your customers are probably visiting your store to pick up dog food, so you can get away with putting those products at the back of your store. You want to place your higher margin, consumable products like dog treats and chews in the location that receives the most foot traffic. Place your Chew Bar close to the entrance, or near the cash register. When a customer brings a bag of dog food up to your register, it’s super easy to ask, “Do you need a dog treat with that?” and point to your Chew Bar.
  
  
  
  Jett and Monkey, in Des Moines, IA, has an additional chew section right at their register! With a range of price points, as well as chew grade (long lasting antlers and quick tremenda sticks), a lot of customers will impulsively grab one of these treats and add it to their bag.

Idea # 5: Signage

• Give it a Name: “Chew Bar”, “Bone Bar”, “Treat Bar” are some examples.  Having a big sign that calls out your Chew Bar will attract attention and make it look more “Instagrammable”.
• Highlight Key Benefits: You can use shelf talkers to educate customers on the unique benefits of each treat. For example, “Great texture for puppies” “Bite sized to make training easier” “High in protein” “Single ingredient” “Made in the USA”. Your vendor may already have such signage available for free - just send them an email and ask!
  
  
  
  
  This beautiful Chew Bar was designed by Bath & Biscuits in Granville, OH. They recently ordered a custom light fixture that says “Body Parts” and it has been a hit with their customers.
  
  
  
  Tail Spot, in Fort Scott, KS, printed out some of our shelf talkers and posters, which help educate customers on the benefits of each product. Their “Chew Bar” sign helps bring it all together!

At Tuesday’s Natural Dog Company, we have a lot of resources and merchandising materials available for free or at a low cost for our retailers. Ask our customer service team if you need anything for your store, or sign up for our mailing list for more tips and actionable steps you can take to make even more money for your business.

If you don't have a wholesale account with Tuesday's Natural Dog Company yet, submit a wholesale application here!